Kerry Patford, McGrath Foundation Chief Nurse

McGrath Model of Care takes the international stage

McGrath Foundation Chief Nurse Kerry Patford will present the Foundation’s Model of Care at the UK Oncology Nursing Society Annual Conference in Glasgow.

Held in Glasgow this month, the UK Oncology Nursing Society (UKONS) Annual Conference will bring together oncology nursing professionals to promote excellence in nursing care for people affected by cancer across the UK.

McGrath Foundation Chief Nurse Kerry Patford was selected to deliver a presentation on implementing the McGrath Model of Care across Australia. The evidence-based framework guides McGrath Cancer Care Nurses to provide consistent, person-centred support throughout a person’s cancer experience, regardless of cancer type or postcode. 

While highlighting strategies to enable coordinated, equitable, supportive care, the presentation will focus on priority populations and the work underway to make specialist cancer nursing care accessible to more people across Australia, ensuring no one goes through cancer without care. 

Kerry said this opportunity would allow the McGrath Foundation to share what it has learned through the model’s co-design and implementation.

“To be able to share that work with cancer nursing leaders from around the world is an honour”

- Kerry Patford | McGrath Foundation Chief Nurse

“It’s a real privilege to have the opportunity to take what we’ve learned at the McGrath Foundation and share it with cancer nursing experts from around the world. The Model reflects the expertise and experience of people across the cancer sector, and I feel incredibly fortunate to be the one representing that collective effort.” 

"At the heart of our Model of Care is something that connects people wherever they live - the hope that every person with cancer will receive person-centred support that considers their individual circumstances and helps them live as well as possible.”  

“The McGrath Model of Care was designed so others could learn from it, adapt it to their health system, and build the services their communities need. To be able to share that work with cancer nursing leaders from around the world is an honour.” 

The 2026 conference programme also includes sessions on nursing leadership, innovation and the future of cancer care, alongside presentations from leading oncology nurses.  

The UKONS conference will take place at the SEC Glasgow on Friday 13 and Saturday 14 November 2026.  

We wish Kerry all the best as she takes the McGrath Model of Care to the international stage.

More stories from the McGrath Foundation

You may also be interested in...

McGrath Cancer Care Nurse smiling at the camera as she walks down the corridor of a medical facility
Join our community

Sign up for The Power of Care newsletter

You'll hear stories from people experiencing cancer, meet our McGrath Cancer Care Nurses and see the difference care makes every day.

Thanks for signing up

You’re now part of a community helping ensure that no one goes through cancer without care.

We’ll be in touch with updates, stories and ways you can support people and families experiencing cancer.